J’Accuse

It is time for Jews to say to the New York Times: we’ve had enough.

I write often for Aish.com. I write infrequently to the New York Times. Sometimes they print what I have to say. But this time I knew they weren’t going to publish my letter.

Here’s what I said:

To the editor:

In the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the New York Times has repeatedly insinuated that Hamas enjoys the higher moral ground based on the premise of proportionality – the number of its civilian victims far exceeds that of Israelis. Since my children and grandchildren live in Israel and have thus far been spared from death thanks to their shelter, the Iron Dome, and most certainly God, I beg you for some clarification. To my mind, the thousands of rockets that have targeted 6 million innocent civilians – a number that somehow resonates for me with great significance – have gratefully not succeeded in fulfilling the stated goal of those who fired them. By charter, Hamas has made clear its intention to slaughter all Israeli residents, men women and children. Were Israel not to respond forcefully to this threat, admittedly and most regretfully killing hundreds of civilians during this war they did not seek or initiate, the results would catastrophically be in the hundreds of thousands, if not millions of Israeli deaths. Please enlighten me as to how many Israelis need actually die and how many photos of butchered Israeli children would be required for Israel to regain the media’s favor? I can only hope it’s not another 6 million – because, starkly put, been there, done that.

And why was I so sure it was an exercise in futility to send this letter to them?

Because it’s now become clear that the New York Times has lost any claim to journalistic integrity by the way it continues to distort its reporting of a war initiated by an internationally recognized terrorist organization against the only democracy in the Middle East.

Ignored and completely forgotten by the supposed “newspaper of record” are the simple facts that

Hamas started a fight with a clear-cut goal, as affirmed in its charter, of killing every Israeli, or to be more precise every Jew. That means men, women and children. By the way there’s a name for these intended victims. They are called civilians, a term not to be selectively used only for Arab citizens of Gaza.

Hamas sent hundreds – by now thousands – of rockets specifically designed to maim and to murder as many of these civilians as possible and their lack of success in no way diminishes their moral culpability.

Hamas has refused to accept every cease-fire offered – and broken every limited humanitarian-based agreement to mutually suspend conflict.

Instead what the Times offers its readers to the point of nausea are heartbreaking photos of suffering residents in Gaza without the context of the reason for their grief – a leadership safely ensconced in luxury far from the fighting who praise death and martyrdom as the noblest aspirations for their followers.

One can only wonder if the Times would have covered World War II in the same fashion, keeping score as over 1 million Germans civilians perished as compared to only 12,000 Americans – none of whom it may be recalled were in immediate danger of missiles over the American mainland. If morality is determined solely by number of innocents dying the New York Times must truly believe that United States bears an unspeakable measure of guilt for its role in stopping Nazi Germany from its murderous plans because, after all, in order to accomplish its mission it caused the death of innocent victims.

What is perhaps most astounding about the Times’s coverage is not only its lack of objectivity and its inability to view events with any semblance of moral clarity but something that Bret Stephens pointedly noted in his column in the Wall Street Journal that smacks either of amateurish incompetence or willful and evil distortion. As source for the numbers of victims in Gaza, as well as for the breakdown between combatants and civilians in this figure, the Times cites the Palestinian Health Ministry and United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Just a little digging by a responsible journalist would reveal that that the Palestinian health ministry in Gaza is run by Hamas and the United Nations group gets his information from two Palestinian agitprop groups!

So even if war has been reduced to a game of numbers by the New York Times, the information it offers its readers is nothing more than propaganda filtered through what is supposed to be a reliable newspaper.

It is time for Jews to say we have had enough. It is time for Jews to say what Emile Zola said when he could no longer stand the lies, the fabrications, the deceits and the dishonesty of the press of his day as they falsely accused the Jew Dreyfus of treason when the real reason for their attack was because Dreyfus was a Jew: J’accuse.

We, even the liberals and leftists and the intelligentsia who have so long been taken in by the prestige and the esteem the New York Times has for so long enjoyed in their circles, must finally take note of reality. Loudly and clearly, as well as by way of cancellation of subscriptions, we must shout out J’accuse! We accuse the newspaper that has built its reputation on fairness and objective reporting of losing its way as it grants the moral high ground to terrorists and to those whose admitted goals are violence and terrorism.

Featured at Aish.com:

About the Author

Rabbi Benjamin Blech, a frequent contributor to Aish, is a Professor of Talmud at Yeshiva University and an internationally recognized educator, religious leader, and lecturer. He is the author of 19 highly acclaimed books with combined sales of over a half million copies, A much sought after speaker, he is available as scholar in residence in your community. See his website at rabbibenjaminblech.com.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 65

(59)
Danielle S,
October 8, 2014 2:52 AM

Thank you

Thank you for so succinctly and clearly describing what's been going on in the New York Times for quite a while now. This was once a great newspaper but their coverage of the Israeli Palestinian conflict over the past decade defines "disproportionality" in focusing on the suffering of Gazans, rather than the fact that this people has made its own hell. Israel invests in life, in shelters, in Iron Dome. That's why there are fewer casualties. Hamas and the people who elected it (the majority) invest in death. This investment includes tunnels from which to attack Israel and "home made rockets" which is a light term for a lethal projectile that would kill anyone on contact and any American would be up in arms if one landed on their house. The Palestinians have invested their children in death as well. Children are not hidden in safety in underground or in tunnels but purposefully placed in harms' way and then their poor dead bodies photographed as if to say "look what Israel did to us." If only the debate could be reframed. What are the Palestinians doing to themselves, exploiting their children and resources- not for development, not for growth, but for destruction. Israel can't afford to lose one fight against this enemy; any loss would mean loss of Israel itself.

(58)
howard,
August 10, 2014 3:46 PM

Irony

The Times is run by a Jewish family who so craves adulation by leftist Gentiles that they fail to realize that their throats would be among the very first to be slit by the vile little thugs that they champion.

Esther,
April 3, 2015 3:54 AM

Is that the real source of antisemitism?

I have been studying and pondering antisemitism lately. I think if we knew the real reason it would have vanished. Jews so determined to be fair that they overshoot and become enemy agitprops might be a real reason.

(57)
Rick Bernard,
August 7, 2014 4:38 PM

New York Times J'Accuse reporting

Bravo to Rabbi Blech! If only his message could reach those not interested in reading or hearing the truth!

(56)
Anonymous,
August 5, 2014 10:18 PM

The Times is doing what it always does

Did you read Deborah Lipstadt's "Beyond Belief?" It was published in 1985, and documented how the NY Times failed to cover the Holocaust until Gen Eisenhower came upon the concentration camps and forced photographers to document what he saw. So that explains the weekly graphs showing where rockets have landed in Gaza, but not showing where they landed in Israel, or where the tunnels went. Nothing has changed.

(55)
Beverly Margolis-Kurtin,
August 5, 2014 3:23 AM

6,000,000

Let me see if I have it right. If more Israelis were killed, would that make the "Grey Lady" feel better about Israel? Perhaps another 6,000,000 would satisfy them?

ANY JEW who subscribes or even purchases a copy of that epitome of yellow journalism should have their pictures and names published on "WANTED FOR TREASON" posters.

Why treason? Because they are helping to financially support an enemy of our people and a hero to Hamas and other hate groups.

Would any self-respecting Jew buy a copy of a KKK newspaper? Why buy the NYT? I see no difference.

The NYT was started by Jews as was Reuters. Now both do everything they can to twist the truth.

BOYCOTT THE NYT or be content to be a traitor.

(54)
Steven gilbert,
August 4, 2014 12:29 AM

One small correction....

One can only wonder if the Times would have covered World War II in the same fashion, keeping score as over 1 million Germans civilians perished as compared to only 12,000 Americans – none of whom it may be recalled were in immediate danger of missiles over the American mainland. If morality is determined solely by number of innocents dying the New York Times must truly believe that United States bears an unspeakable measure of guilt for its role in stopping Nazi Germany from its murderous plans because, after all, in order to accomplish its mission it caused the death of innocent victims. NOT TRUE WHEN IT CAN TO JEWS as Arthur Hays sulzberger intentionally underreported the fate the Jews and the ongoing Holocaust. Ref. The burying of the times br Laurel leff. all Jews and people of conscience should boycoot the NYT. Cancel your subscription if you have one. Tell your family and friends to do likewise. Notify advertisers that yoy will refrain from purchasing their products so long as they advertize in the NYT. Now is the time for action.

(53)
Anonymous,
August 3, 2014 7:36 PM

New 'Yock' Times

Yes, this media rag is emulating the British historical fact that they clumped all Jews together in a synagogue and burned it to the ground - it happened in York, thus the derivation into 'Yock' for non-Jews - it is a slur, but we as Jews have put up with so much more through history, and even today when the world is venting its spleen against Jews and Israel, there cannot be a more misconstrude item of news criticizing the wrong segment of populous. How do these people live with themselves by twisting the truth, ignoring the facts and emphasising the lies put across by the islamic forces. Because hatred of Jews/Israel overrides rationale!

(52)
Laurie,
August 3, 2014 12:46 PM

isn't it possible to sue the Times for breach of public trust?

Isn't there any way to hold the Times accountable for their yellow journalism?

(51)
caren,
August 2, 2014 10:02 PM

Great letter!

Go get em...

(50)
Mary,
August 2, 2014 7:38 PM

journalsitic integrity

Journalistic integrity demands that one cover the facts with accuracy,they are destorting the facts of this war to suit their own pro-Hamus agenda. This must not be allowed to happen again.

(49)
Dick Dennis,
August 2, 2014 7:37 PM

Selling their soul

You now have found out the true colors of the NYT, Mar Blech. You now know why I have not given them a dime for their so-called writing. Whoever is behind their distorted sense of journalism is the one who needs to be punished.

(48)
Anonymous,
August 2, 2014 3:30 PM

Please fix it!

First I would like to start off by thanking all Jews for your labor and because of that the American founders were able to give birth to the USA. Now the New York Slimes have lied and tried to squelch honest Americans GD given rights and many Jews still supported them then. They came after us and you stood by, now they are coming after you. This is not blame this is merely a spotlight on the truth, so you can fix it and if you have not contributed to it you can now see that you need to help other people learn to not support this behavior. Part of my life has been in error as well...in different ways, but I am working to fix it. Protect your selves and most important of all walk with GD!

(47)
Barbara Attar,
August 2, 2014 1:43 AM

nyt = ugly

The nyt joins rank with CNN, BBC, etc. Years ago I joined family & friends who stopped reading the nyt (purposefully written in lower case) because of their overt anti-Semitism. But, hey they're in vogue with all anti-Semites who side with terrorists.

(46)
Ruth Schapira,
August 1, 2014 10:59 PM

I agree, it is Enough!

You make an extremely good case for media bias by the NYT, elucidating how egregious their one-sided approach is. However, Jews everywhere need to become active in this cause. We can not, NOT, sit back. Saying and doing are two different things. (Na'aseh). At least, when media bias is detected, we need to have a common language. I hope others will use #IMA (Israel Media Activists) so we gain power from our numbers and can support each other in this effort. Everyone can become an activist in their own network. It won't be enough until we all feel that we have a stake in this and making our voices heard.

(45)
Michy,
August 1, 2014 6:36 PM

I canceled years ago

I can't even stomach the front page. I can't believe the nyt thinks it has such high, unbiased standards.

(44)
David Frost,
August 1, 2014 4:02 PM

Spot on...

"Because it’s now become clear that the New York Times has lost any claim to journalistic integrity..."

I think that had become clear several years ago!

(43)
Ben Schaeffer,
August 1, 2014 2:35 PM

Yellow Journalism of the WORST kind......

I have throughout the course of my life, as a NY Jew, consistently boycotted/refused to read the Times. My parents, successful writers and professors, several times reviewed in the Times clipped out those items for me, which is the ONLY way I read it. Anyway, J'ACCUSE! During the Dreyfus affair (a subject I studied closely in college), Zola called the French Press "the worst kind pf yellow-bellied journalism" -- well? Here we go again. ....the Times is an ersatz piece of trash. I wouldn't use it to line a kitty litter box. That's saying something. And I am a HUGE BLEEDING HEART LIBERAL! Go figure.......

(42)
Jo-Ann Silverstein,
August 1, 2014 1:39 PM

Cancel your subscription !

What has happened to The New York Times's integrity in journalism? Where are the Editors, who for a hundred years have, through honesty in reporting, built the respect of the people? They have a bias against Israel in their reporting and their readers are dismayed. Wake Up ! Cancel buying The Times now, when it matters so dearly to The Jewish people all over the world ! Our respect for you has been tossed out the window !

(41)
Albert Hache,
August 1, 2014 1:23 PM

mournful numbers of injustice

To impress its readers, the NYT publishes the casualty statistics as 1,410 Palestinian deaths, 64 Israeli deaths. Does it see justice or injustice in numbers? Are the good guys supposed to have more deaths (even if their casualties are people purposely used as human shields), and the bad guys less deaths (even if their sole aim is to protect their people) ?How ungrateful the world is. Israel is doing the fighting on behalf of the free world and those whose are, with very good reasons, scared of political Islam. Even Egypt and Saudi Arabia, who fear the hegemony of the Iranian theocracy and that of its proxies, are discreetly applauding Hamas’ defeat.

(40)
Chana@jewishmom.com,
August 1, 2014 1:05 PM

exactly

I have also been completely disgusted by the NY TImes' surrealy biased coverage of this war. Thanks for speaking the truth.

(39)
Avigdor,
August 1, 2014 10:41 AM

Journalism Integrity? What's that?

One of the "advantages" of being a liberal is you don't have to face reality, because reality is relative. What may be reality to one liberal may not be considered reality to another liberal. If, for example, I don't like your reality I don't have to accept it because it doesn't work for me and my liberal perspective. (I am NOT liberal by the way.) Liberals can live that way because they are so "tolerant" of others. If every Jewish person, every supporter of Israel, every conservative and every lover of truth would cancel their subscription to the New York Times they may start to get the message. Not that they would change...

(38)
Barry J White,
August 1, 2014 10:16 AM

NYTimes did not report iron dome issue

Congress did not find a way to include funding for the Iron Dome in any bill in the past few day but I did not see that story in the NY Times.

Anonymous,
August 3, 2014 6:32 PM

Correction: Iron Dome funding approved

In fact Congress approved $225 million for Iron Dome late Friday, August 1. The measure was never in doubt,and its pending approval had been reported previously by the Times. The hangup was that the Iron Dome money had been included in an immigration funding package opposed by Republicans. Iron Dome funding was approved separately by both houses after being removed from the package.

(37)
Deborah,
August 1, 2014 8:02 AM

I had a feeling this was coming.

A year ago when I was still in school, a boy who liked me was mocking the Jewish people and I told him that I found it offensive. He never talked to me again. A few months later I was walking down the street and I saw a nazi symbol carved into a tree in a different location. I really think more and more people are tending towards anti-Semitism.

(36)
rache,
August 1, 2014 7:10 AM

put children and women in tunnels

if hamas cared about women and children they'd put them in the tunnels . the tunnels seems to be safe for the bombs.and remember 80,000 japanese that were killed instantly when u.s. dropped first a-bomb. hello world history.

(35)
Rebbe A.De La O,
August 1, 2014 6:00 AM

Bravo!

Not only written passionately but completely true and factual,Now let those in agreement cancel their subscription. Why pay for lies?

Rachel,
August 1, 2014 7:48 PM

Agreed!

Simply stated I agree with Rebbe A.De La O

Why pay for lies?

(34)
Barbara Breitstein,
August 1, 2014 5:20 AM

"Efrat,Palestine"

I stopped reading the New York Times about 15 years agowhen a journalist ended his article with the words Efrat,"Palestine".I can't understand how any Jew with a love for the State of Israel still reads that totally biased and anti-Semitic newspaper!

(33)
Hans,
August 1, 2014 4:32 AM

It's not just the New York Times

By now everybody knows that the casualty reports from Gaza are coming from Hamas...

By now everybody knows that the casualty reports from Gaza during the previous fracas were grossly skewed by the Hamas...

By now everybody knows that the Hamas are intimidating all journalists in Gaza...

There's simply no valid reason for the MSM to assume that the news they're getting from their Gaza journalists (whether local stringers or specially flown in staffers)...

If I were an American lawyer I'd look into possibly getting a class action suit... After all, news paper and other media subscribers are paying good money to get the truth... The MSM shouldn't be able to just get away with publishing falsehoods...

(32)
barry levant,
August 1, 2014 2:50 AM

My subscription will be cancelled tomorrow.

(31)
Frances,
August 1, 2014 2:41 AM

Absolutely spot on

This article is true. The Nations who expect Israel to surrender to their enemies should take a look at themselves before throwing stones at Israel, when they equate the so called 'rights' of the Muslim but deny Israel's God given right to their own nation.

(30)
Anonymous,
August 1, 2014 1:34 AM

what about CNN?

CNN does the same thing, and no one can seem to knock any sense into them. They also show the world the crying palestinians and the orphaned children, etc. . I have not, as of yet, seen a reporter go into israel and see the rockets coming nonstop.and why does the world think that the suffering is disproportiopnate? Easy! The Jewish people are getting the highest level of protection from Hashem and there is very little damage, while there is NO protection in Gaza and Hashem is pounding rockets everywhere. So it SEEMS as if nothing is happening in Israel, and the IDF is just having "fun" killing palestinians. So, Rabbi Blech, please try to send your letter to CNN.

(29)
Bham bob,
July 31, 2014 11:00 PM

Don't want moral high ground

I do not want the moral high ground. Didn't ask for it. It is handcuffs. Throughout history moral high ground has cost societies there freedom, and ultimately, existence.
God's expectation of mankind over time is like a video game. You have to win at a certain level to move on to the next. We will lose if we claim the moral high ground, as there is no such thing as a moral victory here...when our enemies want to extinguish us.
To move to the next level the first rule is survive, and that will require eliminating the threat. Interpret that as you wish.

(28)
Anonymous,
July 31, 2014 9:43 PM

New York Times

Every Jew in NY that subscribes to the NY Times should cancel their subscription. Every Jewish business that advertises in the NY Times should stop spending their advertising dollars with that rag. The NY Times was considered a respectable publication but that obviously is no longer the case.

(27)
Tom,
July 31, 2014 8:55 PM

Wnat took you so long?

Rabbi Blech, you are right on. But, gosh, the NYT lost an semblance of sense a long time ago. The mindset there is evident in nearly every paragraph it publishes and has been for a couple of decades. It's more evidence of how liberalism has curdled into the destructive agenda of "progressivism."

(26)
Tuvia Dovid,
July 31, 2014 8:14 PM

The Times, we are a-changing'?

OK, any Aish reader knows The New York Times is not well-regarded on this Web site. Interestingly, though, various Aish writers cite The Times as an authoritative, trustworthy source of reports that substantiate Israeli positions (for example, see Yvette Alt Miller this week: "...Hamas has forced Gazans to act as human shields for the many rocket launchers imbedded in private homes. The New York Times dramatically described the recipients of one such warning, who quickly marshaled family members – including children – to enter the targeted building, forming a human shield."). So, in this troubled and contentious times, which Times do you trust?

(25)
Harise,
July 31, 2014 8:04 PM

I knew it!

I was glancing at some of the Times headlines and was surprised as I thought of all papers, it would not fall to the same delusions I've seen in my own city's paper, a big one, the Washington Post, plus the tv news coverage of the terrible things "we" are doing. One commentator prefaced a report on injured Palestinians with "this may be painful to watch". well yes, but what are you not telling us? It's the thing that made me see finally, the unfairness and prejudice being blatantly displayed. But really, with the NY Times I had that "Et Tu Brute" feeling.

(24)
Anonymous,
July 31, 2014 8:03 PM

What a well written article!

(23)
Carl baker,
July 31, 2014 7:52 PM

The Truth

As a Christian We support Israel not the terrorist! The palestinean children would not die if their fathers would stop trying to kill Israelis. NY Times, wake up ,hamashates you too!

(22)
Dovid S,
July 31, 2014 7:50 PM

J'Accuse the New York Times

For many years, the NYTimes has been noted for its anti-Israel slant. I stopped reading the Times years ago, when I simply could not stomach what was only much too obvious. Of course, I am not an academecian like the author, and I can recognize bias when I see it.

I subscribe to the Wall Street Journal, whose coverage of Israel is much to be preferred to the NY Slime.

What shocks me is that there was anyone left in the Jewish community that supports Israel, who, long ago, didn't conclude that the New York Times' outrageous and nauseatingly biased coverage of Israel was not worth subscribing to or reading!

(21)
Anonymous,
July 31, 2014 7:39 PM

Glad I don't subscribe to the Times

We learned about nine to 10 years ago to not read nor get a subscription to the Times. Glad I don't. It's sickening at this point.

(20)
Anonymous,
July 31, 2014 7:27 PM

The New York Times

The Times recently fired its female Jewish editor in chief and replaced her with an African-American male. The Times failed to report on the Monday, July 28, 2014 rally in NYC, NY held across from the UN of 15,000 Americans and Jewish Americans in support of Israel, attended by numerous supportive influential politicians. Similar rallies in support of Israel were held on the same day throughout the United States. There were no US press, radio or television reports of any of these events either. The New York Times is anti-Semitic, fails to report the news, and fails to accurately report the news. It appears that the balance of the American press has the same problem.

(19)
marcia,
July 31, 2014 7:22 PM

WHERE HAVE U BEEN?!

Now U Want to tell the NY Times what liars they R? U know, I was born over 5 decades ago into an orthodox liberal family with an observant father who made it out of Czech. w/o his relatives. He became a brilliant pharmacist that devoted himself to Torah & the Social Security Admin. of NYC. Also an ardent fan of NY Times, I can’t understand what the Jews R thinking? My dad died when I was 10 yrs old. and luckily I became an Indep. voter at 25! NY Times is way too liberal!

(18)
Kibbitzer,
July 31, 2014 7:03 PM

You think the NYT is bad?

You think the NYT is bad, try the Guardian and especially the Independent in Britain. The latter doesn't believe Israel should exist at all and that includes Israel the people.

(17)
marilyn,
July 31, 2014 6:59 PM

My email to the Times

You have prompted me to write the Times about how I have stopped reading them about 15 years ago. Rabbi, your article was inspiring.

(16)
Bubbelove,
July 31, 2014 6:52 PM

I recommend firing Jodi Rudoren of The New York Times

Jodi Rudoren (formerly Jodi Wilgoren - probably changed her name for the sake of not embarrasing her family) - grew up as a Conservative Jew. Went to Camp Yavneh in Northwood, NH (Hebrew speaking zionist camp), and maybe attended the Prozdor of Hebrew College in Brookline (not sure, but I knew her at this time), MA. She is a "knacker in the New York Times," and we should all be ashamed of her and her articles in the Times and elsewhere. Let her go live in Gaza. I would help to buy her a one-way ticket!! So here is one of our own who is a traitor. Shame on her.

(15)
Baruch,
July 31, 2014 6:42 PM

Subscriptions talk, kvetches walk.

Isn't it ironic that the newspaper that gets taken-to-task most often here, is also the biggest paper in the city that has the most Jews in the world?

Isn't it ironic that many, if not most, religious Jews I know pay the New York Times for subscriptions? It goes without saying the same can be said for my non-religious Jewish friends and associates.

The usual excuse is that it is the best-written paper. Well, it probably is... it certainly has some of the best-written anti-Israel anti-Jew spin. Where's that gonna getcha?

After decades of trying, I have swayed just 2 friends to cancel their subscriptions. So why should the New York Times change their tune about Israel? Jews pay them anyway AND then our enemies do, too.

You can be sure if the tables were turned and the NYT criticized Muslims, there would be a quick and effective boycott.

Newspapers will change if we won't pay, not if we complain & kvetch.

Then there's the double-irony of the online NY Times. Every publisher knows that the more kvetching in the online comment section, the higher the Google ranking for consumer interest, and therefore the greater the profit. We pay them to subscribe, then we kvetch in the comments section and boost their internet readership. Vhat a deal!

Subscriptions talk, kvetches walk.

Cancel it.

(14)
Harriet,
July 31, 2014 6:20 PM

War resulting in rise in worldwide antisemitism

Unfortunately Hamas is succeeding in one area. Increased hatred of Jews, worldwide, even in America. People are not separating Israel and it's politics from the Jewish people as a whole and there has been a large increase in Synagogue desecrations and antisemitic demonstrations in Europe as well as the USA since this latest uprising in Israel. This is very unsettling as we still are a minority and with "freedom of speech" who will speak for US?

(13)
Anonymous,
July 31, 2014 6:19 PM

Right on

You are so right, Rabbi Blech. I read the Times daily and the coverage on Israel makes me sick. Literally -- it makes my stomach churn and by blood boil. It's probably really bad for my health. Their coverage is so flawed -- it's really quite embarrassing and reflects so poorly on their journalistic integrity. The Times has lost all credibility in my eyes. Now every single time I read an article I am constantly wondering what the other side would be saying, wondering if and how the Times has corrupted the facts to sensationalize or to promote a political agenda... I hope that something can be done. Thank you for this important piece.

(12)
Anonymous,
July 31, 2014 6:18 PM

stop subscription to NYT - the best meassage

A long ago I stopped reading NYT: after they started to distort facts to attract new subscribers.

(11)
Anonymous,
July 31, 2014 6:10 PM

The awful New York Times

Quite frankly, I am shocked that Rabbi Blech has subscribed or even reads the New York Times. I canceled my subscription years ago. I am living in New Jersey for almost twenty years, and when I moved here, I got a free copy of the New Jersey Home Tribune. In the very first copy I received, in the letter section, someone wrote "I hate, loathe, and despise the State of Israel. I cannot tell you how shocked I was. When The Home Tribune later called to ask me, how Iiked the free copy let's just say the gates of hell opened, and they never called back. After that, I tried the Star Ledger, not too bad in the beginning, however; slowly but surely it turned into the N.Y. Times as well, and I cancelled that subscription. So now, since I am originally from Brooklyn, I am relegated to reading the Daily News, which is nothing but a rag, that I would use to wash my windows with. BUT, they write such pro-Israel editorials and feature Charles Krauthammer, who is a good friend to Israel, that I look the other way. The New York Post too, which is probably a worse rag, is also very pro-Israel. As far as the New York Times and WorldWar II, are concerned, I read somewhere that when the Nazi atrocities against the Jews became known, the news of it was buried on Page 18 of the New York Times. My only hope is, that they the N.Y Times suffer great monetary losses due to technology. True, people can go online to read it, but nothing can replace a hard copy good old fashioned newspaper in the morning with your first cup of coffee.

(10)
ALBERTO MOSCONA,
July 31, 2014 6:07 PM

SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THE NYT

ANYBODY WHO IS STILL SUBSCRIBED TO THE NYT, IS STILLPAYING TO READ THEIR ANTISEMITIC PROPAGANDA.CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS, NOW..........

(9)
Aryeh Leib ben Yitzchak,
July 31, 2014 6:07 PM

LIBERAL, LEFTIST MEMBER OF INTELLIGENTSIA AGREES!

On Day One (!!) of the conflict, the NYT already bled ink on those pathetic photos. I can't help but wonder if the pictures were dragged out of the archives -- in advance -- ready for print. "All the news that's fit to print"... what bombast from these editors! And, especially for writers, what astonishing lack of critical thought!

(8)
jobardu,
July 31, 2014 6:04 PM

Its about time

Good lord the Rabbi is a slow learner. I lost my faith in the NY Times around 35 years ago when they reviewed Joan Peters "From Time Immemorial" twice. Once very favorably by a local book reviewer and a couple of weeks later, on the front page of their Book Review section, by a spokesman for the PLO, who panned it in racist and sexist terms.

It was around then that the Times began distorting Middle East news and hating Israel. I've spoken out on the issue of Liberal anti-Semitism and the NY Times many times since then. Most members of my congregation rejected me for doing so.

Modern liberalism is closer to sociopathy than to classical liberalism. The principles of classical liberalism, which most Jews embrace, will be discredited and degraded by accepting the neo totalitarian fascism of the Times and political correctness in general. Jews need to start speaking out before it is too late.

(7)
bill morgenstein,
July 31, 2014 5:55 PM

As the good Rabbi says: J’accuse

The NYT had llost its Journalistic Integrity many years ago. During the 2nd World War the editors didn't want to accent their Jewishness in order to give a "fair" approach to reporting so they hid or buried many of the facts of the Nazi evil destroying the Jews. The Sulzbergers KNEW what was happening but in order to sell more papers they clouded the reporting of the holocaust. I cringe when I see some one with the New York Times under their arm...especially if it is a Jew.

(6)
hy grossman,
July 31, 2014 5:49 PM

Gave up on NY Times over 20 years ago

I cancelled my reading of the times years ago due to theirlong-held bias on issues facing Israel. They show what a self-hating Jew really means

(5)
Anonymous,
July 31, 2014 5:49 PM

Cancel subscriptions

Writing letters that won't get published and maybe won't even get read, is for me a futile effort. That is why 2 days ago I cancelled my NYT subscription and took out a subscription to the WSJ.

(4)
Marvin Katzen,
July 31, 2014 5:48 PM

NYT

The New York Times = bird cage liner

(3)
Janice,
July 31, 2014 1:36 PM

Can We Defend Israel Best by Not Defending It?

With all due respect and admiration for you, Rabbi (you're right on to say that the NYT should be yesterday's news for all of us), I offer my own system for defending Israel, and that is not to defend it at all. Let me explain:

To remind the world that Israel is on the moral high ground only seems to ignite more hatred. We can change the way people think only if we talk about how the Islamic terrorism threatening Israel will eventually impact them.

Only if we deflect thoughts of Israel and Jews (about which too few non-Jews care) to thoughts of the foolishly ignored and underestimated Radical Islamic quest for world dominance can the growing hatred of all things Jewish be addressed.

Western culture's current mistake is thinking that Islam is a religion, when indeed it is a system of governance. The Western mind recoils at the idea of terrorists as religionists. However, the evil of Al Qaeda resonates for Americans and Europeans, and anyone who thinks Hamas and Al Qaeda are unrelated has his head in the sand.

Perhaps we shouldI no longer try to justify Israel's actions, but try instead to cause people to wonder if their great-grand-daughters will be wearing the hijab.

Antonia,
July 31, 2014 7:22 PM

Well said, Janice

Why is the world silent? Ever since Sep 11, 2001 and even on Sep 11, 2012, the world refuses to stand up for life, character and justice. It is outrageous for soldiers to clean up the world's dirty laundry. We all need to stand up for life and our human fellows. I have no children but I'm still terrified of what you mentioned: how will the future look with Sharia Law at the helm? Isn't that scary enough to keep you up at night and realize that NOW we have the freedom of speech and freedom of religion that is still on our side? God will perish evil souls but until then, we all need to stand up together. The enemy is counting on our disunity and Rabbi Benjamin Blech is correct! The assessment of this tragic but avoidable war counts on the wrong metrics.

Shame on New York Times!

Shalom!

Arnie,
July 31, 2014 9:46 PM

Right on Janice

Justifying Israel's actions does not work. Opening the eyes of non-Jews that the threat to them, their children and their grandchildren from the Islamic threat is very REAL.

(2)
Anonymous,
July 31, 2014 11:16 AM

What an eloquent and sad article you have written! When I was younger I used to read the Sunday edition of the New York Times each week. How well I remember having to also read the NY Times on certain days of the week as part of my current events homework assignments. I recently cancelled my digital subscription to the NY Times and have not read a paper copy in a long time. Perhaps if enough of us cancelled our subscriptions, the powers that be at The NYT would sit up and take notice. Maybe voting with one's wallet is the only way the Jewish people of all political persuasions can cause a change to be made.

Anonymous,
July 31, 2014 7:26 PM

Canceling my subscription - GLOBAL BOYCOTT against NYT

I'm with you and shared with all my 500 followers and friends to boycott NYT. I, personally, should have done it long time ago. They just jam my inbox with worthless lies.

(1)
Yehudith Shraga,
July 31, 2014 9:52 AM

First you substitude the G-d by US and its "demosracy" and you are complaining?

The world shows its real face, but as the Sages teach us, do not try to clear the mirrow, clear your face first. The People of Israel should make their best to remain friendly with all the parts of the world, but on the contemporary spiritual level of the world, we may be friendly ONLY,but may not trust or rely upon anybody, but the G-d and ourselves. As for the G-d, He does maximum to protect us on the way to the correction of the world and bringing it to the bestowing forms of existence, as for the people of Israel, we should remember, if we step of that way, we step away from the G-d's protection. Keeping it in mind, let's better use some time for introspection and try to answer to ourselves, why we choose to get corrected through the pain and suffering and not through the studying Torah and performing Mitzvot. By studying Torah, our Sages mean learning and implementing the bestowing attitude to the world around, fulfillment of Mitzvot teach us doing what should be done and not what our ego wishes right now.If we are to survive, we have to unite on this only principle, the principle of the bestowing attitude to the life, each of us should use his/her talents in the fields, one is the best, be it praying, be it innovating the high-tech, working in the office, company etc., the bestowing intention is moving us to the better world, the egoistic interests bring us to face the true nature of our "lovers" as the Prophets call our egoistic interests in the powers other than the Power of Faith in G-d, where are the articles about the importance of the Building of the Third Temple, where are the articles about the importance of the Third Temple for the other nations, where the articles about the spiritual laws, as explained in the works of our Sages, where the article of importance of the spiritual inner work for each and every person, instead, complains, complains, complains about the lack of justice on the part of the other nations? IN WHOM YOU TRUST?

I want to know about the concept of "sin" due to Adam and Eve eating from the Tree of Knowledge. The Christian concept of sin revolves around the fall of the man and the "original sin." Does Judaism view it the same way?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Adam and Eve were punished according to their actions. In other words, God laid down the conditions for Adam and Eve to live in the garden, provided they would not eat from the Tree of Knowledge. However, if they were to eat from that tree they would be punished by experiencing death. (If they had not eaten from the tree, they would have remained immortal.)

This sets down the basic principle in Judaism of Reward and Punishment. Basic to this is that every person has the choice of doing good or bad. When a person chooses "good" – as defined by God – he is able to draw close to God. In other words, every individual has a chance to "gain salvation" through his own actions.

My understanding of Christianity, however, is that the Original Sin has infected all of mankind to the point where individuals are incapable of achieving salvation through their own initiative. Man is "totally depraved" and therefore his only hope of salvation is through the cross.

This belief is contrary to the teachings of Judaism. From the Torah perspective, an individual does not need to rely on anyone else to atone for them. In Judaism, sins can be "erased" altogether by sincere repentance and a firm resolution never to repeat the mistakes.

For more on this, read "Their Hollow Inheritances" by Michael Drazin – www.drazin.com

Yahrtzeit of Moses in 1273 BCE (Jewish year 2488), on the same day of his birth 120 years earlier. (Consequently, "May you live to 120" has become a common Jewish blessing.) Moses was born in Egypt at a time when Pharaoh had decreed that all Jewish baby boys be drowned in the Nile River. His mother set him afloat in a reed basket, where he was -- most ironically -- discovered by Pharaoh's daughter and brought to Pharaoh's palace to be raised. When Moses matured, his heart turned to aid the Jewish people; he killed an Egyptian who was beating a Jew, and he fled to Midian where he married and had two sons. God spoke to Moses at the Burning Bush, instructing him to return to Egypt and persuade Pharaoh to "let My people go." Moses led the Jews through the ten plagues, the Exodus, and the splitting of the Red Sea. Seven weeks later, the Jews arrived at Mount Sinai and received the Torah, the only time in human history that an entire nation experienced Divine revelation. Over the next 40 years, Moses led the Jews through wanderings in the desert, and supervised construction of the Tabernacle. Moses died before being allowed to enter the promised Land of Israel. He is regarded as the greatest prophet of all time.

Lack of gratitude is at the root of discontent. In order to be consistently serene, we must master the attribute of being grateful to the Creator for all His gifts. As the Torah (Deuteronomy 26:11) states, "Rejoice with all the good the Almighty has given you." This does not negate our wanting more. But it does mean that we have a constant feeling of gratitude since as long as we are alive, we always have a list of things for which to be grateful.

[Just before Moses' death] God said to him, "This is the Land that I promised to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob" (Deuteronomy 34:4).

The Midrash says that Moses pleaded to live long enough to be able to enter the Promised Land. He surrendered his soul only after God instructed him to enter Heaven and inform the Patriarchs that the Israelites had come to their Land and that God had indeed fulfilled His promise to give the Land of Israel to their descendants. To fulfill God's will was dearer to Moses than his craving to enter the Land.

It is only natural to cling to life, and the thought of leaving this world is depressing. However, if a person develops the attitude that he lives only in order to fulfill God's will, then life and death are no longer polar opposites, because he lives to do the will of God, and when that will requires that he leave this world, he will be equally obedient.

The seventh day of Adar is the anniversary of Moses' death. He wanted to enter the Promised Land so that he could fulfill the commandments and thereby have a new opportunity to fulfill the Divine wish. He surrendered his soul willingly when he was told that there was a special commandment for him to perform, one that could only be achieved after leaving this earth.

We refer to Moses as Rabbeinu, our teacher. He not only taught us didactically, but by means of everything he did in his life - and by his death, as well.

Today I shall...

try to dedicate my life to fulfilling the will of God, so that even when that will contradicts my personal desires, I can accept it with serenity.

With stories and insights,
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